The medication was removed from the hospitals since the voluntary recall on Sept. 26, and South Jersey Healthcare has set up a clinic in Vineland for patients who have received the steroid.

“South Jersey Healthcare and Premier Orthopedic Associates, as well as the Cumberland and Salem county Health Departments, have done a commendable job responding to this recall,” said Mary E. O’Dowd, the state’s commissioner of health.

“I thank them for their efforts to offer assistance to their patients as quickly and effectively as possible during this ongoing investigation and response.”

South Jersey Healthcare saw a total of 87 patients last weekend that have used the steroid.

The hospital contacted its patients and those that were unable to be reached by phone received home visits.

Of the total, 13 patients were referred to testing to rule out meningitis.

“It is still too early to speculate whether any of these people might have fungal meningitis,” said Greg Potter, spokesman for South Jersey Healthcare.

Testing for meningitis involves a blood test and a spinal tap. Testing done on the 13 patients were made after the head of infections disease felt the patient fell under the established criteria or upon medical evaluation.

“South Jersey Healthcare remains dedicated to offering support to every member of our community who may be affected by this medication,” said Chet Kaletkowski, the hospital’s president and CEO. “I want to thank our staff and physicians, as well as our local health departments, for their efforts to ease community concern and provide the proper care for our neighbors when they need it most.”

At the Vineland and Elmer facilities, 70 patients received an epidural injection of the steroid and 54 patients received a facet injection.

The hospital offered a hot line for patients worried about meningitis to reach them at 856-641-6010.